Lise

Your Organic Housesitter
Experienced house sitter ~ animals and plants :)

I like to live a healthy lifestyle, so am only offering to housesit for people who have organic homes and gardens, where there are no pesticides, poisons, or mould. *

Currently in Opotiki (eastern BOP) on a long sit until January 30th and happy to talk to people around the North Island.
I'm a Kiwi who loves nature, the ocean and forest. Good references, quiet, bookish, Daily yoga makes me fit and calm enough to exercise animals. Don't drink (nor smoke nor take drugs), so your drinks cabinet, wine cellar and air are safe with me ;) As a shoes off at the door person, I will do that for your house (and it is fine if you don't) I also bring my own linen, (towels and sheets), so no need to make up a bed for me. I'm water wise so can look after a rainwater supply and septic tank and I care about your resources. I am not one to run up a power bill or overuse anything.

Docs available to send to you as attachments:
Covid vaccinations cert, and
Clean Ministry of Justice check (i.e. no criminal record)

My style with animals is gentle and quiet.
I am responsive to their cues; play if they like to play, let them have peace if they do not want to cuddle, and give them plenty of human real estate to cuddle into if they want to. I love going for good walks, giving dogs plenty of time to sniff all their mail. Feeding is of course to your instructions. I'm OK with feeding raw meat, which some people find funny since I haven't eaten meat myself for 50 years. Grooming and bathing as needed; I had a Persian cat as a teen, so daily brushing her.

Dogs respond well to me as a friendly leader, and while petsitting I have taught over 16 dogs to go for part of their walks off lead when they have not been confident in this before their sit, I am gentle and patient and consistent and calm and find they respond well to this. One pup learned with me to stay out of the kitchen without needing the baby gate. I have also cured long term skin problems for a dog who could only walk 500m a week, but inside a week loved 5km walks.
I have had a shy rescue cat unfurl to me and become a relaxed and happy cat all the time now, and I even got to go back for a second sit with her; so lovely to see her success, and other shy cats surprise their people, by their cats sitting on me. Many other cats surprised their people by taking to me quickly.

Experience includes cats, dogs, birds, chickens, rodents (mice, rats, guinea pigs), rabbits, amphibians, cows, sheep, horses, goats, fish, reptiles, bees, I can even milk a goat (or cows). Currently working with a new foal and his mother which is a total delight. We had a lot of pets when I was growing up in both town and country, so I love them all and all their different personalities. With none of my own now, I enjoy helping your animals have a happy holiday while you are away. Unusual animals I have cared for include axolotl, terrapins, geckos, skinks, wild birds being rehabilitated or raised, tropical fish, and a golden pheasant (in my pics). I have hand reared kittens from a week old (twice with rescued litters) Tadpoles to froglets, and Monarch Butterfly hatching to release were childhood summers. I have had friends with Chinchillas.

Clean full driver's license. and a very reliable car. I will still bring my lovely road e bike with me as that will still be my main transport day to day.

I like to live a healthy lifestyle, so am only offering to housesit for people who have pretty organic homes and gardens, where there are no pesticides like fly sprays, insect plug ins, insecticide misters or weedkillers etc. I do understand that pets have flea and worm treatments and that is something they need for their health. Mould and dust free homes are necessary for me, so I do not get an asthmatic cough. I have short showers, ventilate bathrooms, dry the shower glass and let the washing machine dry open, so no mould moves in while you are out.

Having owned interior design stores, I know how to look after precious interior pieces and artworks.. I won't 'wear out the welcome mat' by using up your spices, sugar or oil or depleting your pantry, While it is sensible to share the remaining fresh foods, I do not expect them. An organic vege patch I would love; to water, mulch, weed and share from. I used to be a weed scientist as well, so I can identify which of the emergent plants need dispatching, and which are good to stay,

Sometimes I plant sit for people with special plant collections but no pets.

Look forward to hearing about your pets and garden and meeting you if you have a chemical and mould free home and garden. I'm available for a video chat before that if you like.

Lise Denize